Advent Conspiracy Sermon Intro

Thanks to everyone who told me it was awesome.
It made me feel warm and squishy inside.
Here it is.


Advent Conspiracy Intro from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

You supply the caption

Verse Video

Psalm 78 from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

New Fire Test

This one is way better than the old one. This is the greatest thing ever,...ever.


Fire Test from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

New Sermon Series Intro

I will be posting all of my videos on Vimeo from now on, but I will still link them here.
Here is the intro for our new series that starts this weekend.


Dare You To Move Intro from Chad McDonald on Vimeo.

More Photos

Stone Cold

This is how every dude should look when taking a picture next to a hot woman.

The Golden Ratio

Sounds like a lame band name, but its not...

For centuries artists and designers have used a sum – the golden ratio – to achieve proportion. The golden ratio is about as close as many artists and designers get to appreciating hardcore mathematics: it’s a ratio – roughly 1:1.6180339887, if you’re curious – that is widely regarded to give balanced, harmonious proportions.

Since it was first calculated with any degree of precision in Greek times, the ratio has been applied over the centuries by creatives ranging from architects to bookbinders.

Even if you’re not a math genius, the basics of the golden ratio are easy to understand: a perfectly symmetrical design is less satisfying and aesthetically pleasing than one in which the proportions are slightly asymmetrical. Perfect symmetry being 1:1, and the golden ratio being 1:1.6180339887. In other words, just slightly off.

People studying the golden ratio have found it everywhere from the Pyramids to the Mona Lisa – and even in nature, for example in the veins of leaves, or the human face. That is why sometimes it is called the Divine Proportion or Divine Ratio.

I know this sounds like a lot of mumbo-jumbo, and a lot of people take it to the extreme. However there are certain aspects of this theory that can't be denied.

So the question is,...

Is DaVinci's "Mona Lisa" an amazing piece of art because he used the golden ratio?

Or are the Great Pyramids so great because they also used the golden ratio?

Yearbook Yourself

You should stop what you're doing and have some fun at this site.

How can I not be wrapped around her finger?

The Greatest Game Ever!

For those that know me, you know I never exagerate. This is the greatest thing that has ever robbed me of any free time, and any productive time as well. Warning! This game will control you!

www.FantasticContraption.com

Some designs are simple...
http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=869329

Some designs are complex...
http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=864443

Some are really dumb...
http://FantasticContraption.com/?designId=870222

Kid(s) plural!

Sorry I haven't blogged much lately. I've been a little busy, with this...

He's a genius, I know...

Some days are strange

I don't remember this being in my original job description...

"Livin' Venti" update

Here is the look we are going for with this new series coming up soon. Andrew helped me shoot the footage being used here. Notice the reflection of the timer on the countertop!

Friday Morning Review

By no means am I a hard-core movie-goer like Ritchie and Dusty, but I did roll with the big boys last night to the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight". Also in attendance,... Clint White (aka - Dusty's brother from another mother). Brandon Miller went too, but who cares about him, really? Well, I guess Kim does, but the jury is still out with Ritchie.

Anyway, I digest...

There is so much going on with this film that I can't even process it all. It is definitely one of those movies you will see in the theater and then have to buy to try and catch all the action. It's 2 hours and 40 minutes of glorious explosions and fight scenes. I really don't have any negative comments about it at all. Let's just say that the last time I went to a midnight premier (Indiana Jones 4) I was totally disappointed, but now I am the opposite of disappointed,... would that be appointed?

Warrior series (SNEAK PEEK)

You guys probably saw the teaser video I created for "Warrior" this past weekend and you can look forward to two more before the series actually starts (if you go to Avalon Church). Also I designed this single web page to promote the series as well. Check it out, you can see the sermon intro before anyone else!

www.avalonchurch.net/warrior

peace

I stand in the middle. but I lean to the right!

I just took the Political Brew Political Gauge and came up as a Centrist on Non-Fiscal Issues and a Moderate Conservative on Fiscal Issues. You can take the test at http://www.politicalbrew.com/politest.cgi - let me know your results!

Random Awesomeness

I am researching design ideas for a new series coming up called "Livin' Venti" (or living large). I found this, and wanted to share it, because it is awesome. I don't think PBC would approve. wink wink.

peace



p.s. - come see me play with Dusty Beach and the six to midnight band this Saturday night @ Avalon Church!

Video Blogs

You may have noticed that the two best blogs on the planet have been posting regular video blogs. They have been funny, real, and raw. I have really enjoyed them and so have some of my blog readers. I know this because one of my blog readers suggested that I do a video as well. But, what do I do? I am not the "real and raw deal" like Ritchie, nor am I nearly as sexy and stunning as Dusty. So here is a hidden talent that I have that no one knows about. Enjoy. Peace.

Desktop Backgrounds

Here is the link for all those who are interested...

www.avalonchurch.net/series.php

Or you can go to Avalon's home page and click on the current series graphic.

And yes, you can download them for fun and put them up on your personal computer!


peace

Invite co-workers, or just for fun...

So, I had this idea and it could be awesome or it could fall flat and I'll look like an idiot. At any rate we're going to give it a try. Starting this month, we are making the graphics from the sermon series available for the general populace to download and use as desktop backgrounds. Our covenant members can proudly display them on their work computers and then use them as conversation starters to invite people to Avalon Church.

It came to me when I had a few people ask me about a background I had up for our 'Warrior' series that starts in August. I was able to tell them about the church and how we do things,... differently. They already attend a church, but it was a great ice breaker anyway. Also, this is a great time to start this because I didn't create the 'One Prayer' graphics, and I've only designed about half of the 'Warrior' stuff (both series are re-purposed from other churches) so no one can say that it is self-promotion.

Check out my desk, represent the AC!

Kingdom of the Crystal SUCK

Last night I went to see Indiana Jones IV...

What a steaming pile of deuce!

When I say "deuce" i mean - the number two, as in going number two, as in a dump, poop, turd, feces, crap, dookie, doo-doo, poo-poo, brown town, monkey tail, butt coffee,... a bowel movement

Let me save you the time and money. Don't go see this movie. Unless you're masochist, and then you would enjoy 2 hours of self torture.

I know what you're thinking,... "Chad, you love Indiana Jones, you love history, and archeology. You're an Indiana Jones purist, you probably watched hours of History Channel documentaries about Crystal Skulls in preparation for the movie. Your "historical accuracy standards" are too high for the regular movie goer. Plus you're really smart and good looking.

Well, take it from two guys who are not smart or good looking. Ritchie and Dusty both saw it with and they hated too. So there.

I'm pissed about it. I have to go work now.

peace

Update

I haven't posted in a while so I'll try to catch everyone up...

Recently the Marketing department I work in went through some cut backs. We lost 20% of our staff. To be honest we only had five people to start with so you math wizards out there have figured out only one person got laid off. But the issue is that he was the senior graphic designer and now that leaves me holding the bag with all the design duties of a $300 million dollar a year company. So needless to say I have been scrambling trying to pick up the slack and figure everything out.

The other scary part was that I found out it was either him or me. I do not enjoy other's misfortune, but thank God I still have a job. I am very fortunate to have a job in these tough economic times. I have been dealing with the stress of it all in the usual way I do, bury it down deep and don't talk about it. Not a good idea.

However, after reading a recent blog by my good friend Dusty Beach, I have come to terms with some things. I really related to what he was saying about his insecurities as our Executive Pastor. I don't have any formal design schooling or any formal A/V training, and both are critical parts of my job. Sometimes I wonder how I even got here and why no one has realized that I usually have no idea what I'm doing. What I realized is that God has me here for a reason, and I am in control of my own insecurities and fears and they are not from God at all.

About a year ago I really thought that I was going to be able to go into full time ministry at Avalon and all my wildest dreams would come true. Now that I look back I realize how much God know and how much I don't know. I learn so much everyday about how a professional design/creative team should function, and I learn new tips and tricks everyday too. One day I will be in full time ministry at Avalon and I will be so much more prepared than I was a year ago.

So, I know I've rambled a little and if you've read this far then here is the take away. God is really smart and we are really dumb. He knows it all already, and we have to remind ourselves of that.

"Nothing surprises God"

peace

15 Weeks and Counting

I took Katrina to her doctor's appointment this morning so that she could have her "Gestational Diabee-tus" test. We should get the results sometime next week. The cool part was getting to do another ultrasound. Last time they couldn't measure her legs or something like that so we got to see her again. Everything is normal, she's got all 10 fingers and 10 toes. They (the doctor's) can't seem to decide on the due date. At first it was August 14th, then it got moved to the 8th, and now it's back to the 14th, go figure. The other cool part was doing a crossword puzzle while we waited, I really enjoyed that, because I'm an über-nerd.

Just for fun

Inspired by a great tutorial from Andrew Kramer.

Big Red, you will be greatly missed...

My F-150, commonly referred to as "Big Red", went the way of the Do-Do this weekend. I traded her in for a more family friendly, gas efficient vehicle. I bought a Jeep Liberty so that I can haul around the ever growing family. Conner and I drove it off the lot together (well he was in his car seat, not literally driving) and I think he was as excited as I was. I'm sure he's glad to be riding around in something other than Katrina's car. He kept saying "Daddy's green car!" Pronounced by him as "Da-yeez geen kar!"

Big Red and I shared a lot of good times together and a lot of bad times, but we were always together. Please pray for me as I try to adjust to this new phase in my life. Big Red, I miss you already, but I know you are in a better place.

My new car (pictured below) needs a nickname. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

peace

Family History

With Brenna on the way, I have been getting a little more nostalgic about family history and I did some research and actually found some cool things on the internet.

This image is a marriage license of John Norman McDonald and Nancy Susan McLeod, dated January 21, 1813. They were both born on the Isle of Skye, Scotland and were married here in the states. They started our family's history here in the U.S. Actually the only reason that we are even here is that Nancy Susan's brother had some problems with the British Government and the whole family had to move here and since her older sister was not married yet, her father would not consent to John and Nancy getting married in Scotland. So John Norman followed her here and waited until they were able to marry. While waiting he served as a Naval Captain in the War of 1812. He had a son named Norman who had a son named Neill A, who had a son named Colin Monroe who had a son named Lauchlin David, who had a son named Allen Lee, who had a son named Chad Allen, who had a son named Conner Lauchlin. Pretty freakin cool huh?

peace

I'm dreaming in PINK!!!

For those who haven't heard Katrina and I are having a girl! Her name will be...

Brenna Dawn McDonald

I wasn't so pumped about it at first and I even made an off color joke at the doctor's office. When the ultrasound technician told us that she weighed about 12 oz., I said "Wow just like a beer can!" She's daddy's little beer can! Needless to say my wife, mother and mother-in-law did not find it as hilarious as it sounded in my head. Now I am actually getting excited about having a little girl. I'm told that the bond between father and daughter is pretty incredible, and I'm definitely looking forward to that. Plus, Andrea and Dusty are having a girl as well and they're only a few weeks ahead of us. So, they'll be able to grow up together and be pals or whatever little girl friends call each other.

I'm afraid that the mass amounts of pink frilly things that are infiltrating my house are beginning to affect my work. Here is a sneak peak at a series coming up soon, you be the judge.

The Edifice Complex

As I said yesterday, there is so much information in these chapters I can't really give a complete breakdown, so I am going to give a few things I thought were interesting.

It is important to note that Barna & Viola (the authors) seem to be anti-church in my opinion, and I have tried to cut through a lot of there rantings about how we all need to leave our churches and join/start house churches.

With that being said, if you've ever wondered why we have church buildings when the Acts church only met in homes. Then this is the blog for you.

Many claim that we get our church buildings and altars from the Jewish temples. Well this is may be true, but unlikely. Mainly because by the time that the first church buildings were being built the number of Christians who were born Jews was incredibly small in comparison to the number of Gentile Christians (former Pagans). So, these Gentile Christians used the only frame of reference they had for their buildings and early practices, paganism.

Another important note is that both Judaism and Paganism were centered around three main components; temples, priests and sacrifices. In His perfection, Jesus Christ fulfilled all three, so there isn't a "need" for any of them when you are a follower of Christ.

Fun Facts...

- "Ekklesia" (Greek for church) was never used in the New Testament to refer to a building.

- House of Dura-Europos (AD 232) was a home remodeled for Christian gathering. It is the earliest one excavated to date.

- In the 3rd Century, the pagan custom of having meals for dead family and friends at their graves, carried over to the Christians and the first martyrs. The meals became Communion.

- Over time, they began building small monuments over the graves of the martyrs. The monuments got bigger and became shrines as they began to look at these sites as "holy".

- Constantine (ca. 285-337) converted to Christianity, still under heavy debate, and wanted to make it an equal and legitimate religion to Judaism and Paganism. The main difference in his eyes was that they had no temples and the other two did.

-Constantine began building churches on top of the already existing shrines and naming them after the martyrs (e.g. - St. Peter's on Vatican Hill, St. Paul's Outside the Walls, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and The Church of the Nativity)

- Since these sites were now considered holy, church-goers had to have a purification ceremony to be able to enter (a pagan tradition)

- The architecture was a duplication of the Roman Basilicas (the buildings used by the senate)

- These designs are still employed today.

+ Raised platform for the clergy/senate

+Altar in the center table or chest that held the martyr's bones

+ Eucharist (bread and cup) was on the table. Now considered a holy ceremony because of the pagan meal practice

+ Cathedra (large chair) for the bishop or judge

+ Surrounded by rows of smaller chairs for the elders/senate members

Sound familiar, go into any traditional church and you will probably see the large chair for the pastor and smaller ones for his staff. There is usually a communion table as well.

Chapter 2 coming soon...

peace

I'm a Jerk, and Some Stuff You Didn't Already Know

I know I promised a weekly update on my book reading, and I have fallen way short of my goals. I didn't realize that each chapter would be so long and have so much information. I will probably post my general thoughts and a few interesting facts.

Just to keep everyone updated...

- I am currently working on Avalon's next series "How To Be Rich". The look of it is way different than most of my stuff. Dusty and I are working on a sweet audio track for it, and it will be awesome. (that was prophetic)

- I am also working on a video montage from our HOPE project this past weekend. I am "re-purposing" (a.k.a ripping off) the new discovery channel commercial for the over-all look and feel.

- I also have a project due this week for Piedmont Church in Macon (they're one of our partner churches). It's a series about bringing the generations together.

- I just bought a guitar amp! Mesa Boogie Mark III (Simulclass, Greenstripe Edition). It should be here on Friday, so hopefully I will melt some faces with it this weekend.

Oh and because someone asked, that is Andrew's (our Worship Pastor) finger on the sermon/song intro for "Playlist" not mine. My hands are not manly enough.

peace

Exploring the Roots of Church Practices

I know it's been a while since my last blog, but I've got some great ones in the works. Currently I am reading a book called "Pagan Christianity", and it is awesome. Basically it breaks down current Christian traditions (that many churches claim are from the "Word of God") and sheds some light on their origins. Which if you can't tell from the book's title are all based in ancient paganism. Each week I will give you a "Cliff's Notes" version of each chapter and my thoughts. I know some of you may find history boring, but if you just bare with me over the next few weeks I may be able to challenge your thinking and maybe teach you something that you can use next time some one says that we're supposed to dress nice at church because the bible says so (which it doesn't). So check back in a few days for my review of chapter 1, it is all about church buildings and architecture.


Peace

Updates and other stuff

So, things have been crazy lately so the best thing I can do is try to catch everyone up on what's been happening.

• We successfully re-financed our house,...money!

• We got had another ultrasound to check on the baby and everything is cool.

• I am super busy at work with our annual Symposium coming up next month.

• I am super busy with church work. I am finishing up our next series entitled "Masterpiece" and I am already working on the one after that called "Game Time" and the one after that called "Playlist... Finding God in your Ipod".

• I had a blast playing the guitar solo on "Hit Me With Your Best Shot".

• I am excited to see Dusty play a Keytar this weekend on "Working For The Weekend".

I think that's all the biggies, here are a few fun links for you to kill some time with.

List of bad baby names cataloged in our great state of Georgia.

My favorites are... Badger, Chlorine, and Guitarist

Candidate Matchmaker from Fox5 Atlanta

My top three are John McCain, Duncan Hunter, and Mike Huckabee

But I only line up with 58% of my number one

I thought this was cool too.

An invisible bookshelf.

Peace.